During the first segment of the Meet the Candidates Night, U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., and Republican challenger Ilario Pantano came out swinging—with attacks quickly turning personal during the hour-long segment.

Early voting for the Nov. 2 General Election begins this Thursday, Oct. 14.

With early voting locations throughout the county and at the Board of Elections office in Bolivia, voters can cast their ballots early from Oct. 14 until Oct. 30.

The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Absentee ballots must be delivered to the Brunswick County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, if delivered by hand, or by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, if mailed. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2.

An assistant district attorney and a defense attorney will face off Nov. 2.

But it will be on the ballot for district attorney, not in a courtroom.

Jon David, a Leland Republican who serves as an assistant district attorney in the 5th prosecutorial district, which includes New Hanover and Pender counties, will face off against Harold “Butch” Pope, a Whiteville Democrat and defense attorney.

It is his experience as a prosecutor that gives him an advantage over his opponent, David said.

Wow. When I signed on to be moderator of the Meet the Candidates Night, I knew things could get interesting.

Just days before early voting began, and one of the last scheduled debates between U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre and GOP challenger Ilario Pantano, I was prepared for things to get heated.

I’m on the Pantano camp’s e-mail list as a member of the press, but I also receive the e-mails they send out to their volunteers and supporters, so I know they ask people to show up to debates, bring friends, bring signs and be loud—very loud.

After several concerned residents called the sheriff’s office after receiving automated calls about an endangered missing person, sheriff’s office officials want to confirm it was the sheriff’s office calling, not a fraudulent agency.

Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. April Stanley said the sheriff’s office used the 911 center’s Reverse 911 system Friday night to alert people of an endangered missing person.